Yes please, convener. Good afternoon. I thank the committee for visiting Inverclyde to see at first hand the extensive regeneration that has taken place here, and which continues.
Inverclyde’s town centres have been improved and enhanced, new business premises have been built, investment has been made in new public realm space, new retail opportunities have been created and the regional transport network has been improved. All of that has attracted new businesses to the area and created employment opportunities for local people.
I am also immensely proud of what we have achieved in Inverclyde over the past few years through regeneration in other key areas, such as in transforming positive destination outcomes for our young people when they leave school, whether they go into further education, training or employment.
Nevertheless, our partners in the Inverclyde alliance, which is our community planning partnership, remain focused on tackling the significant challenges that we still face in our communities. We need to build on what we have already achieved by stimulating economic growth—for the benefit of both residents and businesses—through major investment programmes such as the Glasgow and Clyde valley city deal. That initiative provides a unique opportunity to accelerate growth and create jobs for the Glasgow city region through programmes of work in areas including infrastructure, skills and enterprise activity.
The partner councils recognise that the city deal is a step change in the approach to regional economic development and changes are required in ways of working to ensure that the positive outcomes that will arise from this groundbreaking opportunity are maximised. The city deal agreement, in effect, unlocks £1.13 billion of investment, which will enable the delivery of 20 major infrastructure schemes across the city region and provide a catalyst for economic growth and investment for the whole region.
In addition to the infrastructure projects, the city deal includes £75 million to support further growth in life sciences through world-class research and development facilities, £10 million of investment to provide incubator and grow-on space for entrepreneurs, and a £25 million labour market programme to tackle the problems that are caused by unemployment and low wages.
The councils have already established the strong governance and support arrangements that are necessary to successfully co-ordinate their activities and fulfil the requirements of the agreement that was reached with the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments.
That is all that I want to say. Thank you.